The 26-year-old, identified only as "Robert", was on a Heathrow-bound plane from Hong Kong International Airport and became disruptive after the flight had been in the air for more than an hour.
It was forced to turn around after 90 minutes, the airline said, and landed safely back in Hong Kong.
The passenger was arrested then sent to hospital, authorities said.
"The foreign man called Robert, who is 26 years old, lost control on board and didn't follow instructions from staff on the flight," a police spokesman told AFP.
A Hong Kong airport authority spokeswoman said that flight VS201, an Airbus A340, had departed at midnight.
Stranded passengers were put up in Hong Kong hotels and will fly out again tonight.
"The flight went back to Hong Kong after 90 minutes for a disruptive passenger," a Hong Kong-based Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said.
"The rest of the passengers were provided with accommodation before they depart tonight."
Police today said that the man had not yet been charged.
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